Good Morning Friends!  It is 11:15am so that is morning!  And it is bright and sunny today!  Yay!!!  This makes me happy and I actually feel some energy today.  Praising the LORD for this blessing!

Yesterday, Wednesday, I had a nice time out with my friend Jan!  We went to Wendy's, had lunch and just chatted for a couple hours.  I know it was so good to reconnect in person, and be able to just feel connected to the outside world and a friend at the same time.

After coming home I took an hour nap, and then Don and I had to go to Costco to pick up a couple Rx.  You see, yesterday morning was a high stress morning because my insurance is not recognizing me because they received April's payment, but not May's yet...EVEN THOUGH THEY WITHDREW THE MONEY FROM OUR BANK ACCOUNT!  I guess it hasn't been 'officially' processed yet so therefore I am still considered ineligible~  ARGH!  But, with no insurance the Pharmacy only charged me a small amount for my 2 prescriptions.  I bet with the insurance the copay would have been higher than what I paid, plus the insurance company would have had to pay their part.  Sometimes I wonder just how important it is to have insurance if they will give you a reduction for no insurance.  Of course, all this is for routine.  If there was a major problem I might be glad to have insurance.  Enough of that ranting!  Be content in ALL THINGS!!!

Joan is coming over for lunch today.  I offered 2 different types of quiche or a vegan burger, but she is on a raw diet today, so I can make her a strawberry smoothie.  She is also bringing a salad.  I am still making a quiche-cheddar and broccoli from Costco.  They are very good!  We will probably play some more Rummy.  Just maybe I'll win a game this time!  LOL  I've been on a losing streak.

Today is loads of laundry and dishes catch up.  I need to make a good check list for all the things I need or want to get accomplished soon~

↣↣↣↣↣↣↣↣↣↣↣↣↣↣ later
Don mowed our grass for the first time this year!  It needed it so bad.  We have loads of dandelions and he will be putting something on them soon.  They have taken over most the back yard.  Argh!

Joan, Megan and I had a nice lunch today.  Well, I should say I did with my delicious quiche.  Poor Joan had to eat the worst salad she had ever eaten.  I believe one of the special lettuces had gone extremely bitter, and the combination of her home made dressing and the lettuce it was really awful, but she insisted on not wasting it.  She gets the credit for that one.  I tasted one leaf and it was terrible!!!

I had a delicious black bean burger for supper, bought from Costco!  I can't wait to have another one real soon!

How was your day?  Until later!
Cathy

Okay, I am officially over this dreary weather!  I did get some pictures taken the past few days to share.  Of course I took them when the rain was ceased.

Two flowers that have come up~

Our neighbor's tree in bloom~

Kendell

Our Red Buds are starting to bloom!

Our two buoys we bought years ago in Maine~

The drift wood our daughter found years ago.

The birds and squirrels love this feeder and especially during the winter.

A woman gave out these in Sunday School a few weeks ago.

There was all different kinds of wood.

This rose was given to me Saturday by the waitress at a restaurant.

It has been a quiet day for me.  No company and no going any where.  I laid down about 3 times and took a little nap which never really made me feel more perky.  I guess I don't have much to share except the pictures. 

Please pray for a few really dear people close to me who are suffering in different ways.  God knows who they are and He loves them more than I could.  I do believe so much of what we go through is a spiritual or physical battle, and the LORD  wants to fight our battles for us!  Ask and we will receive the Bible says.  Asking is prayer, so that is why I ask for you to join my prayers with me.  If this is as clear as mud, don't worry, God knows all things!  Hallelujah!  

Tonight I am watching the 1960's game show Password and the 1960's Andy Griffiths~  I watch Password on You Tube and Andy Griffith on Netflix.  Since I remember the originals it is very homey and comforting to watch  them!

Hope you have had a good day!  

Cathy

Today was a good day!  Still waiting for a nice warm, sunny Spring day.  It was rainy and chilly.

My two girls and youngest granddaughter Megan went to Aunt Mary's for our every other Monday lunch together.  Aunt Mary loves to cook, but today she surprised us with going out for pizza.  I had my little Kendell with me and didn't want to leave her in the car so she went in with us, along with her little bed and 'fox' blanket in the bed.  She was on the bench between Megan and Joan and no one said a thing.  She is only 7 pounds and very well behaved.  It was a nice lunch.

While we were there a friend of the girls that I hadn't seen in about 20 years was in for lunch also.  The girls were chatting with her, and I didn't recognize her.  I asked her if I'd ever met her before, and was so surprised to find out she was their friend from the church they grew up in.  She had spent lots of time with us, but I still didn't know her.  It was very nice seeing her again~  Her son is graduating from high school next month!  Wow....am I getting old!  LOL

After going back to my aunt's house, we played Rummy which is one of my favorite card games.  Then it was time to come home.

Today was suppose to be the day I started my clean eating, and that didn't happen!  I must learn to not let "special" events throw me off.  I'm hoping to take off some weight, but also to maybe improve my health for my next quarterly blood work I get done.  Tomorrow is the new starting day!

I enjoyed reading some Scripture this morning at the dining room table.  I was reading 1 Corinthians 12.  I like this verse:
1 Cor 12:12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
KJV
We are all different but still part of one Body in Christ!

How was your day today?  Hope it was nice!
Till tomorrow!
Cathy

Hello Friends,

Don and I are doing well.  The main news is that he has this coming week of work and then will be retired!!  Wow!  I cannot believe it!  We have thought about this time almost since we first got married.  Then we would dream of retiring when we were old, sitting on a front porch and with him carving wood and me quilting.  He gave up carving for doing stain glass and I have given up quilting for - still to be determined!  Life has a way of changing our interests I guess.  I was doing art, but haven't decided if I'll keep doing that.  Maybe I should clean my house!  That would be a good Spring project.  Deep cleaning is what I'm talking about.  Windows and shades, oven and refrigerator, etc.  We shall see.

I have an IPad now!  Yes, this is a big deal because I do not have a smart phone, and could not take pictures and down load as well, or videos and other apps you do on these devices.  I must say, I love it!  My family and I keep in touch now with a new app call Marco Polo.  If you have someone you want to keep in touch with by little instant videos this is a good one to use.  Now we can see what each other are doing right away and we can share info or chat and then watch when it is convenient to do so.

Recently I have been going to church on Sunday mornings more faithfully and going to a Sunday School class which I love immensely!  Don and I have never really gotten to go to SS together much because he is usually warming up in the Praise Band during that time.  But we are going now, and he just leaves class about 15 minutes early.  The class is taught by our pastor and he does a great job.  There are hand outs weekly which I also love and lots of Scriptures to work on during the week.  This is really motivating me to get back into the Word!  I have also started back with a women's Bible study group I had attended a few years ago, and dropped out because I go to my aunt's every other Monday.  But the ladies have missed me as I have missed them, and invited me to just come every other Monday when I can.  It feels like the LORD is opening up some much needed doors.

Don and I are planning on some low cost things to do around our area after he retires.  He has worked and lived on 3rd shift for the past 8 years, and before that was so busy with his past employments there was little time for us to ever do anything together.  So, now that we are OLD, we hope to enjoy some time together with friends, family and ourselves.  LOL  Old!  I don't feel old!  My grandmother when she was about 65 or so, said, "You might see an old woman, but I am telling you I am only 16 years old inside."  I thought she was nuts because she WAS OLD!!  Oh times, they are a changing!

Hope to post pictures more often, and get back to enjoying writing here in this blog!  Love you all, and hope all is going well in your life!

Cathy

Saturday

Hello Friends,

I will have to say this was the hottest FALL day I can remember, since yesterday was the first day of Fall!  I think it has been hot in most states, but here it was in the low 90's and even though it is almost 8:30pm it is still 82 outside.  Whoa!  I will miss these temps when it is 32 degree outside!  But I will never complain because I have good air conditioning and electricity, that I know many people don't have.  I am thinking of all the Islands especially that have no electricity.  Let's keep praying for them to be able to restore their power quicker than they think.

Got up early this morning for the grandkids soccer games.  Since Joan's church has a women's breakfast planned this morning, I helped out with the kids at the soccer field.  It was lots of fun, and again, I had brought 3 umbrellas which helped tremendously shield myself and some others from the hot sun.  And I still managed to get a sunburn!

I brought two of my granddaughters home with me for the day.  While they were playing video games or playing with toys I was working on my art at the dining room table.  Here is what I accomplished today.

ATC

ATC

Art Junk Journal

How I do my personal daily journal pages and then write out my days activities.

Finally, a plate of God's perfect art and creation!  It was YUMMY!

How was your day today?  Hot?  Any art for you today?  Reading?  Visiting?  Cleaning?  Hope to hear from you my Friends!  

Friday

Happy Friday Friends!

Another quiet day today, but I did get some art play in.  One of my favorite things is to machine stitch paper to paper and paper to fabric.  Recently my 'new' sewing machine hasn't worked well in the bobbin, but today I somehow managed to get it to work, and I was able to sew paper again.  I really like this look.  Here are my two art projects today.  One was an ATC/art trading card and the other 8.5x11inch.

ATC called Thankful

I added paint and markers to different parts of the picture 

besides sewing the cat to card stock, and the title.

I thing this new cat has taken over!  LOL

Tonight we went out to eat with some friends, and had good company and a delicious pizza!  Always nice to have an evening out with my Honey!

Well, I've got soccer tomorrow, and hopefully some more art!  Thanks for following the blog, and for all your kind comments!  How was your day today?  I love hearing from each of you!  

Smiles!

Thursday

Hello Friends!

It has been a quiet day for the most part, with several nice phone calls, and loads of gluing and painting art play!  I think I needed a 'down' day, and I know Kendell did.  I could not even get her to go outside in the morning, or even out of bed.  This is not like her at all.  Usually she jumps right up when I get up and wants right out.  Two hours after I had gotten up I had to force her to get up and go out.  I think all our running around and the heat had gotten to her.  She would just look at me like, "Leave me alone mom, I'm tired"!  Reminded me of a teenager on a Saturday morning!  LOL

Other than loads of dishes today, art is about all I did, and watching You Tube videos.  So I'll just post the pictures, and that is about my entire day!

How was your day today?  Hope you are doing well, and had a good day!

Good Night Friends!

Wednesday

Hope all is well with you my friends!

This has been a busy, but good day!  First I had my Book Club this morning.  Every other Wednesday a group of us ladies get together to discuss the current book we are all reading.  I love these ladies, and this special time with dear friends!

After book club I did a little shopping and then home to meet with my daughter and granddaughter for some Doc Martin time together!  My daughter was putting together a crocheted baby afghan for a friend's new granddaughter.

This evening Don and I went to our youngest granddaughter's soccer game!  The way she plays at the age of 4 will be stories to tell her when she is older!  LOL  She runs in the opposite directions, holds hands with other team players, plays on the field next to the one she is suppose to be playing on, and the best is she picks the dandelions and clovers!!!  LOL  There are several 'real' natural soccer players, but she is not one of them!  Too cute!

Today in the mail, I got a precious new book that my friend BG wrote for her granddaughter Breezy and is for sale on Amazon!  

Upon receiving the book, my daughter read the entire book to her daughter and me while we all sat on the couch.  It is also an activity book, besides a book about Breezy making cupcakes for her school.  We all just loved the book, but my granddaughter loved the picture mazes!  She followed the mazes with her little finger, and when we tried to keep turning the pages she wanted to go back and follow the mazes....so we helped her find her way out of them!  It was fun!

Here is where you can find it on Amazon if you want a copy for someone special.  It also has lots of baking information....and even pages for writing your own baking recipes!

The Sweet Tooth Bakery

BG also recently wrote a very precious poem for myself and some other friends....Here is her poem!

Thank you BG for all the sweet things you do and say as my life long friend!  I also thank you for all your prayers for each and every need we've shared in our prayer circle!  God bless you my dear Friend!

No real art today.  Just half an ATC which I hope to maybe finish tomorrow and share with you then.  

Keep Smiling!

Tuesday

Hello Dear Friends,

Another day the LORD has made, and I am happy in it.  I truly am, but I also spend a lot of time lifting my heart up to the LORD with the needs and sufferings of so many, both personal friends and family, and the things going on in the world.  Today, I am praying for those affect by this hurricane Maria, and those in Mexico having to deal with this huge earthquake that stuck this afternoon.  Just want to encourage you to also pray for the burdens on your heart today!  The LORD hears all prayers!

Today my daughter Joan and her youngest spent the morning and afternoon with me.  I always enjoy our time together.  Joan and I worked on our art together, and I fixed spaghetti for lunch.  Joan had a slice of her dad's latest cheesecake masterpiece!  He has become a cheesecake baker with outstandingly delicious results!  This latest cheesecake is my favorite because it is so creamy.   He has also made the best coffee cheesecake.

Here is my two collage pages I made today.  They aren't the best pictures or angles, but didn't realize that until I downloaded the pictures.  I am very happy with them though.

The pencil in the picture is actually a picture!

Here is Don with his coffee cheese cake and the latest cheesecake.

Tonight we went to our oldest granddaughter's soccer game.  It rained on us a little bit, but not too bad with umbrellas.  We both enjoy going to these soccer games so much! 

Well, tonight is a short post.  I have Book Club in the morning.  Will see you tomorrow then!

Hugs~

Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Hi Friends,
I have decided I will not blog on Sundays, and then catch up on Mondays.  Saturday's blog was so full I decided to save some until now!

Saturday my oldest daughter Donna ran in a half marathon for the first time.  I am so proud of her accomplishment, especially since just 3 weeks before she had fallen and sprain her ankle very badly, and had to pray it would heal in time for the marathon.  I saw her ankle today and it is still puffy but I hope it starts to go down soon.  Also, during the marathon she had 4 blackouts where her vision went, and she almost quit which would have been very understandable.  But she decided she was determined to finish and she did in a very good time.  Out of 1,995 runners in her gender category, she finished 784th!!!  That is Great work Donna!  So proud of you!!!  FYI....Donna completed a full marathon in 2011 I believe, (long with my other daughter and son) and this was her goal of doing a half marathon....her last!!!  LOL

 Lisa and Donna

The sign says RUN not Rum!

Trust me, this was a good picture!  

Once the bruising and injury set in it was not pretty!

So you can see she overcame a lot to run in the 1/2 Marathon Saturday!

Yesterday, Sunday was church.  Our church has been doing a very extensive renovation in it's Sanctuary.  They closed the Sanctuary in June and yesterday was the 1st service in the newly remodeled Sanctuary.  It was so pretty!  The pews had been in need of reupholstering for a long time, and new carpet, and many other things including new sound equipment.  Don plays in the praise Band and he was very happy with it!

This was warm up before the service.

Don has recently started a new work schedule where he gets some weekends off, which we are thrilled with since we haven't had weekends for almost 7 years!  So we went out to lunch and also got to watched our football team, the Cleveland Browns lose!  Boo!  We had delicious fish and chips and coleslaw which was Cod fish.

This screen was right in front of our booth!

Sure hope they have a better season than it is starting out!

Sunday evening we were both yawning a lot, so we took Kendell for a short walk.  Half way down the street my neck and shoulders were in spasms.  Isn't that a funny reaction to being out of shape?!!  I hope to take a short walk daily until I can walk without this happening.  A lady we passed who was probably older than we are, and we commented on the yard work she was doing.  She said it was a better work out than going to the gym!  We liked her attitude!  

Today, Monday was full.  I left at 8:30am to go pick Donna up to go to our aunt's house which we go to every other Monday.  Aunt Mary has my two daughters, myself and any of the kids that aren't in school over for lunch.  Cooking is her way of showing her love, and we appreciate these visits very much.  When she has some extra sort of work in the yard, my girls help her out.  Today was cutting tree branches, and cutting down a tree and cutting out those rapid growing trees that shoot up over time.  I was a tiny bit of help to Donna with a few branches and the picture of me was basically staged to look like I'd helped more than I did.  I did throw a half dozen branches on the pile!  LOL

After driving Donna back home and picking up my granddaughter from school, Donna trimmed Kendell's fur.  You will notice a big difference from the picture of her sitting on aunt Mary's lap!

I was trying to get her to perk her ears up without success.

Tonight has been miscellaneous cleaning, dishes, laundry.  Hope tomorrow I do some art.  I might splash a little paint tonight in my junk journal~  

See you tomorrow!  Thank you to those of you that have commented and sent me emails!  You are appreciated very much!!!